Top 4 Free, Open Source Database Schema Diagram Tools to Visualize Database Easier in 2025

This post is maintained by Bytebase, an open-source database DevSecOps tool. We update the post every year.

Update History	Comment
2025/05/27	Initial version.

Previously, understanding database structures required parsing lengthy SQL scripts or complex command-line interfaces, which was unintuitive and error-prone. To solve this, developers created graphical tools for visualizing database schemas, helping teams design and document databases more easily. Here, we explore four top open-source options for schema visualization in 2025.

DrawDB#

DrawDB is a free, browser-based database diagram editor with a simple drag-and-drop interface. It lets you design ER diagrams visually and export SQL scripts for MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQLite, MariaDB, and SQL Server — no account required.

Key Features:

• Intuitive UI with real-time collaboration
• Export diagrams as SQL or images
• Works offline (PWA-supported)

GitHub Stats: 30.3k stars, 2.1k forks

Best For: Quick schema design & sharing

ChartDB#

ChartDB is a smart, query-driven visualization tool that generates diagrams instantly from your database schema. It supports AI-powered DDL exports, making migrations between databases seamless.

Key Features:

• "Smart Query" for instant JSON schema parsing
• Supports PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQL Server, and NoSQL options
• No database credentials needed (security-focused)

GitHub Stats: 16.6k stars

Best For: Teams managing multiple database systems

Azimutt#

Azimutt specializes in exploring large, complex schemas with advanced filtering and relationship tracking. Unlike traditional ERD tools, it handles messy real-world databases effortlessly.

Key Features:

• Search, filter, and trace table relationships
• Supports SQL (PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQL Server, Oracle ...) and NoSQL (MongoDB, Counchbase, SQLite ...)

GitHub Stats: 1.9k stars

Best For: Enterprise-scale database documentation

Liam ERD#

Liam ERD auto-generates interactive ER diagrams from existing schemas (Rails, Prisma, PostgreSQL) with zero setup. It’s ideal for visualizing large projects (100+ tables).

Key Features:

• Instant diagrams from schema files
• Zoom, pan, and filter for clarity
• Open-source (Apache 2.0 license)

GitHub Stats: 4k stars

Best For: Developers needing fast, no-fuss visualization

Key Options Compared#

Tool	Best For	Standout Features	Database Support	GitHub Stars
DrawDB	Simple visualization	Clean UI, no account needed	MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQL Server	30.3k ⭐
ChartDB	Multi-database teams	AI-powered SQL exports	7+ SQL/NoSQL options	16.6k ⭐
Azimutt	Complex schemas	Advanced search & relationship maps	SQL + MongoDB/Couchbase	1.9k ⭐
Liam ERD	Auto-generated diagrams	Zero-config setup	Rails, Prisma, PostgreSQL	4k ⭐

Quick Recommendations#

• Startups/Simple Projects: DrawDB (easiest to use)
• Enterprise Teams: Azimutt (handles complexity best)
• Multi-DB Environments: ChartDB (best for migrations)
• Rails/Prisma Users: Liam ERD (most automated)

Emerging Trends#

1. AI Integration: More tools adding smart suggestions (like ChartDB's exports)
2. Real-Time Collaboration: Team editing features becoming standard
3. Broader NoSQL Support: Tools expanding beyond relational DBs

All tools are actively maintained and free to use. For most developers, trying 2-3 options will help identify the best fit for their workflow.